DERA BASSI: The  residents of villages of Dera Bassi Sub division on Wednesday protested in front of office of Sub Divisional Magistrate here against construction of “Band” on river Ghaggar by Irrigation department near Chhat Bir Zoo.

Farmers of effected villages raised slogans against Department and gave a memorendum to S.D.M to stop construction of “Band”. Officers of Irrigation Department were also present in S.D.M. office during the agitation. Farmers from 83 villages of block Dera Bassi, Rajpura, Ghanour and Dhakala narrated that approximately two lac acres of land will become unfertile if the “band” is constructed.

The agriculture on this land is totally depended on water of Ghaghar river and there is no other way for irrigation for this most fertile land. They told that farmers had taken agriculture loans from banks and spend lacs of rupees for underground water pipeline fixing for irrigation from Ghagar river. There is no other source of income for the farmers, the memorendum said. Farmer will suffer a big loss and will become bankrupt if the band is constructed. The farmers have warned the Government if the band is constructed, they will start demonstration on roads.
 
People demanded from Punjab govt. to stop the construction and save them from bankruptcy. People also narrated their problem to  Deepender Singh Dhillon, Vice Chairman PSIDC who assured them to look into the matter and get them relief from problem.  Narender Sangha S.D.M. Dera Bassi and officers of the department assured the people to investigate the matter and action will be taken if any officer is found culprit for “making his own benefit” by ordering the construction.